Owning property in Las Vegas might seem straightforward — city lots, clear streets, and visible fences. However, without a boundary survey in Las Vegas, you could face unexpected disputes when a neighbor claims part of your yard, parking space, or vacant lot as theirs. In some cases, both parties even hold paperwork showing they own the same piece of ground.
A boundary survey pinpoints exactly where your property begins and ends, giving you the proof you need to protect your investment. As a result, you can prevent disputes, avoid costly legal battles, and move forward with confidence. These situations happen more often than you might think — even in a busy metro like Las Vegas — making a survey an essential step in safeguarding your property rights.
What Is a Boundary Survey and Why It Matters in Las Vegas
A licensed land surveyor conducts a boundary survey using advanced tools like GPS, total stations, and, in some cases, aerial drones. They determine the exact legal edges of your property and confirm them against official records.
In Las Vegas and Clark County, where rapid growth and older property records often overlap, a survey can reveal surprises such as:
- Your neighbor might build a fence or wall on your lot without realizing it.
- A driveway or sidewalk could be crossing into your property.
- You may find easements for utilities or shared access that you never knew existed.
- Property records might even reveal overlapping claims in official descriptions.
These findings often lead to major consequences — especially when you plan to build, sell, or refinance.
How Overlapping Claims Happen in Las Vegas
Even with modern mapping technology, property line disputes still occur in Las Vegas. For example:
- Outdated property descriptions in older neighborhoods like Downtown Las Vegas or Paradise often cause confusion.
- Rapid development in Summerlin or Henderson can shift property boundaries when large parcels become subdivisions.
- Survey markers may be misplaced or go missing after construction or landscaping changes.
- Inherited property without a survey forces owners to rely on fences or word-of-mouth boundaries.
- Some lot splits from decades ago predate GPS and modern measurement tools.
So, even if your deed lists a certain lot size, you may not know its exact location without a survey.
Can Two People Own the Same Land in Las Vegas?
Surprisingly, yes — at least on paper. Two deeds in Clark County can sometimes show the same piece of land. This usually happens in older parts of the city or when past owners divided property informally.
However, the law recognizes the person with the accurately surveyed boundary as the rightful owner.
What a Boundary Survey Will Show You
When you hire a surveyor in Las Vegas, they will:
- Measure your land using precision equipment.
- Compare results with Clark County Recorder’s Office records.
- Install or verify property markers.
- Create a certified map showing your true boundaries.
- Identify any overlaps, gaps, or encroachments.
You can then use this map as legal proof for permits, title updates, or dispute resolution.
Two Owners, One Driveway: A Las Vegas Example
Consider this real scenario: A homeowner in Summerlin South inherited her property from her parents. The side driveway had served the family for decades without issue.
When a new neighbor purchased the adjoining lot, they ordered a boundary survey before building a pool. The results showed that part of the driveway sat on the neighbor’s land.
Because the survey exposed the problem early, both owners negotiated a legal easement instead of taking the matter to court.
What Happens If There’s an Overlap?
If a Las Vegas boundary survey shows part of your land isn’t actually yours, you might need to:
- Move a fence, gate, or structure.
- Relinquish use of a portion of the land.
- Negotiate a land swap or easement.
- Pursue legal action when necessary.
When to Get a Boundary Survey in Las Vegas
You shouldn’t wait until a dispute starts. Instead, order a boundary survey if:
- You’re buying or selling property in Las Vegas or Henderson.
- Plans are in place to build a fence, wall, pool, or structure near the property line.
- Conflicting walls, fences, or survey markers have been spotted.
- You own vacant or inherited land without a recent survey.
- You need permits from the City of Las Vegas Department of Building & Safety.
In Las Vegas, You Only Own What You Can Prove
In a high-value market like Las Vegas, knowing your property boundaries is essential. Whether you own a luxury home in Summerlin, a commercial lot near the Strip, or a small residential parcel, disputes can still happen.
A boundary survey gives you clarity, protects your rights, and ensures you can confidently use your land.
Don’t depend on fences, guesses, or outdated records. Get a boundary survey today — and know exactly where your property starts and ends.
